Tendojoyama, Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture
Rating
Cost per person
¥1,000
The Tendo Cherry Blossom Festival's "Human Shogi" is a major event held annually since 1956 in Tendo, Yamagata. Set against the backdrop of Mount Maizuru, where approximately 2,000 cherry trees bloom, participants dressed as samurai and kimono-clad attendants act as shogi pieces, engaging in a live-action chess game. The event takes place at Tendo Park on the summit of Mount Maizuru. It's easily accessible, with a 20-minute walk from JR Tendo Station or a 10-minute drive from the Yamagata Kita Interchange on the Yamagata Expressway. The festival offers a unique cultural experience, combining traditional Japanese chess with the beauty of cherry blossoms, making it a must-see during spring.